Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-01
A TALK WITH MIR. BLAINE.
Preparing 70 Sail for Eur0pe-His Plans
for a Years TOur-Not Certain He
Was Defeated I'm ,S4.

Preparing TO Sail for Europe-FIis Plans
for a Years TOur-Not Certain He
Was Defeated I'm 'S4.
The New York World prints to-day an account
of visit made by a correspondent to Mr.. Blaine
at his home In Augusta, Me-, and afterward at his
cottage at Bar Harbor, In the course OF which Mr..
Blaine gave fully his plans for his forthcoming
trip, discussed the false reports Of his failing
health, and referred at length to the work he has
bestowed upon the books Just finished. He says
his visit abroad will extend over more than year,
and doubtless beyond the time OF the meeting OF
the next national convention.
Mr.. BLAINE IN ROBUST HEALTH.
When the World correspondent called at Mr..
bia1ne's home his card was received by Miss
Dodge, better known as "Gail Hamilton" who is
making visit to Augusta, but will not accompany
Mr.. Blaine on his European trip, as has been
stated In few moments MI. Blaine came down
from his study and entered the large drawing
q brisk pace, and his appearance has not changed
since he was seen in public during the late cam
paign. His voice is as powerful as ever; he is in
good flesh and much more active than most men
ten years his junior. MI. Blaine's beard has
grown, perhaps little whittier, and he has lost
the brown, Sunburnt color from his face which his
outdoor life during the summer usually gives him.
Ii Mr.. Blaine is sick man his appearance gives
no hnt OF II. on the contrary, he looks like a
man OF thoroughly robust health and unimpa1red
Ngor.
To the World correspondent MI. Blaine said: 81
am going abroad, and expect to be away about
year. Mrs. Blaine and my two daughters-Mar-
guerite and Hattie-wtll make up the party
have engaged staterooms on the Ems, which sails
and 20 az once to London W We II nend to speSd
considerable time travelling through Great Britain
After England we will probably go into Scotland
in Germany, and after that take France. By this
Time 1t Will probably be so late in the year that
spain and Italy will be comfortable. We intend
4 n fheSQ pfvjaS
and spend next winter along the Mediterranean.
We win probably make long visits in Rome and
pie and visit the scenes Of the recent earthquakes
in the south OF France and adjoining portions OF
Italy. A year is sufficient to cover great deal OF
ground without hurrying."
THE IRISH QUESTION.
The correspondent asked: "How about the re-
port, MIR. Blaine, that you contemplate in some
way assisting Mr.. Gladstone and the home rule
party?"
,"I "rhaestory @ Is purely imaginative. never had
''DoeS 1t strike you that such plan would be a
movements"
''NOw, what do you mean exactly?n Mr. blaine
asked.
81 refer to the suggestion that IL you, as one of
Americas foremost citizens should cross the ocean
England to establish Irish rtghtS-by speeches at
public dinners to which you undoubtedly will be
asked, and perhaps public meetings.
the affairs OF another nation" said MI. Blaine
t'What would be tho Ought here II some prominent
Englishman shouad take the stump during one Of
our national campaigns?"
"Wouid not such acourse abroad greatly help a
candidate for the Presidency here?" the CORE
"Not at,aI," said MI Blaine. ut, would react
upon him, without doubt"
THR PRESIDENCY.
'Mr. Blaine, would you accept the nomination for
1SSS1fit were rendered your"
''That is something have not considered, at all
and have neverdscussed with anybody"
'1f yOUwere the. candidate for lBSS would such
an Irish policy as-I have suggested strengthen
your"
England M las as you suggest. there would be nodanger
OF the honor being rendered me that you speak
'sIt has been widely published that your tr1p to
Europe is for the benefit OF your health. Is that
the case?"
81 nave had hardly a-sick day 1n.my life. Never
any time serious and I never had an organic
trouble OF any kind"
tTo what-do you attribute your good heaith7"
HIS HABITS OF LIFE.
"Wen, have a very strong constitution, and
more than that, have taken,great care OF my
self. believe Lowe a great deal to this. For in
stance. have always been carefulro keep dry
feet. Ihave.no bad habits, and have never been
addicted to-the use OF sttmulantS L do not smoke
or use tobacco il any form; intact, never had a
piece OF tobacco In my mouth: never took slim
ulants. Never was in the habit Of taking glass
OF liquor, even occasionally. don't know the
taste of rum, whisky, brandy, or gin. That seems
tell me a good deal about liquors that never eX
pect to experience. have, to be sure, at times
taken a glass OF claret, but nothing more AS a
matter OF fact, Lneyer caredfOr tObaccOOr Wines
although my boys all use them"
'eIt has been frequently stated: Mr.: Blaine, that
you have suffered from indigestion?"
"NO, that is not true. / have always been, as
they say, "a small eater am not epicure, and
my diet is as simple now as It was when was a
boy on a Pennsylyama farm. This fact, as Wen as
lar credit because Is the result OF the lack OF any
desire for high living. / never cared for eating
those OF any farmer in Maine No, 1 never was
troubled with indigestion atall. When Ihave a
great amount OF work to do under preSSureL eat
heartily and find that cold or hot tea as the case
may be- Is all the st1muiant need. As told you,
I have always taken care Of myself and avoided
needless exposure"
'sMr. Blaine, are you contemplating writing an
other book7"
he WILL DO ABSOLUTELY NO WORK ABROAD.
SIT has been suggested that you intend to write
something on your impressionso OF Europe?"
'.No, have no such intention"
"Win you take private secretary or stem
ographer with you?'
ssNo, indeed That sort of thing is exactly what
intend to avoid. I shall do no work OF any Kind.
go for the trip and my own pleasure have done
ali in the line OF authorship that 1 mean to do
THERE'S great deal OF labor In it. The main thing
lies in the accuracy OF names, dates and figures.
In writing book everyth thing must be verfned. In
a stump speech you can say that the population
was at q certAdn time between two and half and
three millions, but when yOlkcOme to put 1t In q
book you have got to hunt the thing up and make
the figures exact. It won't do tOdO as the Irish
editor did. Just as the paper was going to press
they called out to him that all the news had been
put in and hah OF the last column was empty.
"tKil q baby in Cork, he answered. In q few
minutes they said the baby had been killed, and
there was still little space left.
Then deny therepOrt,' he replied"
HIS VIEWS ON NRWsPAPERS
Now you can't do that in writing book, and
it is in the careful verifying OF everything that
the labor lies It Is different matter in writing
for newspaper, too. II you make an error one
day you can correct It the next and 1t is just as
well was q newspaper man myself once. was
the editor OF the Portland Advertiser for several
nebec Journal That was some time ago, how
ever, and newspaper1ng has changed wonderfully
since then. The facilities OF telegraphing and
other things have made 1t possible to build up
great newspapers. which would have been out OF
the question In my day."
Referring to the newspaper reports about his
condition he said: LAS for my health, it has been
published all over the country that was sick
man, and that was greatly alarmed about my
low physical condition My friends who see me
every day said, why don't you deny this? and
have been amused to see the surprise with which
people who have met me recently have said that
my trip abroad would build up my health. have
not contradicted the report, and should not have
told you that was still very well II you had not
oSkod m about hoalth-D